Historians research and analyze historical records to understand past events and cultural contexts. The median salary is $74,050 as of 2024, with federal government positions offering higher median wages at $114,650. Most historian roles require a master's degree, though bachelor's degrees suffice for some entry-level museum and education positions.
History is one of the oldest academic professions, dating back to ancient Greece. What we know today about major historical events comes from written records that have survived through the centuries. Historians serve as interpreters of the past, helping us understand not just what happened, but why it mattered and how it shaped our present.
What Does a Historian Do?
Historians examine primary sources (materials created by people who witnessed events firsthand) and secondary sources (later analyses and interpretations). These sources include written documents, photographs, oral histories, interviews, films, recordings, and unpublished manuscripts such as personal diaries and letters.
While archaeologists study physical artifacts and building remains, historians primarily work with documentary records and testimonies. However, modern historians increasingly use multimedia sources and collaborate with archaeologists to provide context for excavations.
Anthropologists examine pre-human civilizations, while historians interpret the documented human experience. The line between these fields has become increasingly blurred, with many modern research projects involving collaboration across disciplines.
Today's historians don't just work with dusty manuscripts in quiet libraries. Many use digital archives, databases, and data analysis tools to uncover patterns in historical records. The field has expanded to include digital humanities, where historians apply computational methods to analyze large collections of historical texts, images, and data.
Historians are trained to recognize and account for bias in sources. They understand the social situations and attitudes that shaped how events were recorded. This contextual analysis is what separates professional historians from casual readers of history. They don't just consume historical data; they disseminate it through research, writing, teaching, and public outreach.
Where Does a Historian Work?
A history degree opens doors to surprisingly diverse career paths. According to 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, historians work across several sectors with the following distribution:
- Federal Government: 24% of historians work in federal agencies, including the National Archives, museums, and specialized research roles. Some historians with expertise in specific regions or languages find employment in military intelligence or diplomatic services.
- Local Government: 22% work in local government roles, including tourism, public outreach, archiving, and museum work at the city and county level.
- Professional services: 18% work as consultants, often in roles involving cultural landscape assessment and historic preservation. This work traditionally overlaps with architectural historians who specialize in preserving and interpreting historic structures.
- State government: 15% work for state agencies, maintaining important documents and managing historic societies. Each state maintains nationally, state, or locally important documents that require preservation.
Beyond these traditional sectors, historians work in media as journalists, newspaper editors, documentary producers, and consultants for entertainment productions requiring historical accuracy. The publishing industry employs historians as editors, writers, and fact-checkers for both academic and popular content.
Corporate historians have emerged as a growing career path. Companies hire historians to preserve institutional memory, create corporate archives, and develop content that highlights their organization's heritage and evolution. This relatively new field combines traditional research skills with business communication.
Historian Salary & Compensation
As of May 2024, historians earned a median annual salary of $74,050, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that half of all historians earned more than this amount, while the other half earned less.
Salary varies considerably based on employer type and location. The salary range spans from entry-level positions under $40,000 to senior specialized roles exceeding $128,000 annually.
| Percentile | Annual Salary (2024) |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Lowest) | Less than $38,630 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $74,050 |
| 90th Percentile (Highest) | More than $128,500 |
Median annual wages vary significantly by industry sector according to May 2024 BLS data:
| Industry Sector | Median Annual Wage (2024) |
|---|---|
| Federal Government (excluding postal service) | $114,650 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $75,070 |
| State Government (excluding education/hospitals) | $59,710 |
| Local Government (excluding education/hospitals) | $51,820 |
Historian Job Description & Required Skills
A historian's daily work varies dramatically based on their specific role, but certain core skills remain essential across all positions. Whether you're working in a museum, a government agency, or as an independent consultant, you'll need strong research skills and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
Entry-Level Historian Positions
Starting your career as a historian typically means working in museums, historical societies, or small archives. You'll spend considerable time cataloging collections, conducting preliminary research, and assisting senior historians with larger projects. Most entry-level roles require a bachelor's degree in history or a related field, though advancement beyond these positions typically requires graduate education.
Your computer skills matter more than you might expect. Modern historians work extensively with digital databases, content management systems, and specialized historical research software. You'll need to be comfortable with technology while also handling fragile physical documents and artifacts.
Communication skills are just as important as research ability. You'll work with diverse audiences, including academic colleagues, museum visitors, and government officials. Being able to explain historical significance to non-specialists is a valuable and often underestimated skill.
Senior Historian Roles
Senior historians typically hold a master's degree or Ph.D. and have several years of specialized research experience. At this level, you're expected to lead research projects, mentor junior staff, and publish original findings. Many senior historians develop expertise in specific time periods, geographic regions, or thematic areas, such as environmental history, military history, or social movements.
Travel becomes more frequent at senior levels. You might visit archives across the country or abroad, conduct oral history interviews, or present research at academic conferences. Project management skills become essential as you balance multiple research initiatives, manage budgets, and coordinate with various stakeholders.
Senior historians often contribute to public outreach through educational programs, media appearances, and consultation on historical preservation projects. You might advise city planners on historic building preservation, consult on documentary films, or help organizations develop educational materials that bring history to life for general audiences.
Job Demand & Outlook for Historians
Employment for historians is projected to grow 2% between 2024 and 2034, slower than the average for all occupations. With only about 3,400 historians employed nationwide as of 2024, this translates to approximately 100 new positions over the decade.
However, job demand numbers tell only part of the story. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 300 annual openings for historians, though most result from workers retiring or changing careers rather than newly created positions. Competition for traditional historian roles remains intense, particularly for prestigious positions in federal agencies and major museums.
The rise of educational entertainment has created new opportunities. Historical documentaries, podcasts, museum exhibits, and historical consulting for entertainment media have opened alternative career paths that didn't exist a generation ago. Historians with strong communication skills and digital media experience find themselves increasingly in demand.
The transferable skills from a history degree shouldn't be underestimated. Research, analysis, writing, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize complex information apply to careers in law, journalism, government policy, business, and education. Many history graduates successfully transition into these fields, though they may not carry the title "historian."
Education Requirements & Career Path
Most entry-level historian positions require at least a bachelor's degree in history, though career advancement almost always demands graduate education. The path you take depends on your specific career goals and whether you're aiming for academic, government, or public history work.
Bachelor's Degree (4 Years)
A bachelor's in history teaches fundamental research methods, historical analysis, and academic writing. You'll develop strong critical thinking skills, learn to evaluate sources for bias and authenticity, and gain broad knowledge across different historical periods and geographic regions.
While some entry-level positions in museums, historical societies, or government archives accept bachelor's degrees, most graduates work in fields like education, law, business, or journalism. The analytical and communication skills from a history degree prove valuable across many professions, even if you don't work specifically as a historian.
Master's Degree (2-3 Years)
A master's degree in history or public history is the minimum requirement for most professional historian positions. Master's programs offer specialization in specific time periods, geographic areas, or thematic fields, such as environmental history or digital humanities. Many programs require internships, giving you practical experience in archives, museums, or historic preservation.
Public history programs specifically prepare students for careers outside academia, focusing on museum work, archiving, historic preservation, and public engagement. These programs often include courses in grant writing, exhibit design, and digital media alongside traditional historical research.
Timeline for master's completion: 6-7 years total education (4-year bachelor's plus 2-3 years graduate work). Most students work in related roles while pursuing their master's degree, building professional networks and gaining practical experience.
Doctoral Degree (4-6 Additional Years)
A Ph.D. in history is essential for research positions in federal government agencies and virtually all college and university teaching positions. Doctoral programs involve intensive research, comprehensive exams, and completion of an original dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field.
Ph.D. students typically specialize in a particular country, region, time period, or thematic area. You'll develop expertise that makes you one of a handful of people in the world who can speak authoritatively on your specific subject.
Timeline for Ph.D. completion: 10-13 years total education (4-year bachelor's, 2-3 year master's (sometimes waived or integrated), plus 4-6 years doctoral work). With limited demand for traditional historian positions, employers can be selective, making advanced degrees increasingly important for competitive candidates.
Alternative Paths
Consider related credentials depending on your career goals. Museum studies, archival management, or historic preservation programs offer specialized training for specific career paths. These programs often lead to certifications from professional organizations, enhancing your credentials for specialized roles.
Environmental History - Related Degrees
Professional Organizations for Historians
History is one of the oldest academic professions, and several major organizations support historians in their research, education, and professional development.
American Society for Environmental History brings together historians, scientists, and others interested in human relationships with the natural world over time. This organization is particularly relevant to those interested in environmental science and sustainability.
The American Historical Association is the largest organization of professional historians in the United States. It provides guidance on education in schools and colleges, promotes accurate historical representation, and supports research and scholarship across all fields of history.
American Association for State and Local History supports members in their efforts to research and reach out to Americans interested in history at the local and state levels. This organization focuses on making history meaningful and relatable through community engagement.
Organization of American Historians, founded in 1907, is dedicated specifically to teaching and learning about American history. It promotes quality teaching and research, as well as public outreach and presentation of American historical topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become a historian?
Most historians complete a bachelor's degree (4 years) followed by a master's degree (2-3 years), totaling 6-7 years minimum. Academic or senior research positions typically require a Ph.D., adding another 4-6 years, for a total of 10-13 years of education. Some entry-level positions in museums or archives accept bachelor's degrees alone, though advancement usually requires graduate education.
Can you become a historian with just a bachelor's degree?
Yes, but your options will be limited. Some entry-level positions in museums, historical societies, and small archives accept bachelor's degrees in history. However, most career advancement and traditional historian roles require at least a master's degree. Many bachelor's degree holders work in related fields such as education, journalism, law, or business, where historical research and analysis skills are valuable.
What's the difference between a historian and an archaeologist?
Historians work primarily with documented records, written materials, photographs, oral histories, and multimedia sources to understand the past. Archaeologists excavate and analyze physical artifacts, building remains, and material culture. While historians interpret documented human experience, archaeologists study both written and pre-written human history through physical evidence. Modern projects often involve both professionals working collaboratively.
Is there a demand for historians?
Demand for traditional historian positions is limited, with only 2% projected growth (about 100 new jobs) from 2024 to 2034. However, about 300 annual openings occur due to retirements and career changes. Alternative opportunities exist in education, museums, consulting, media, and corporate history. The analytical and research skills from history training are highly valued across many industries, even if the job title isn't specifically "historian."
What skills do you need to be a successful historian?
Critical thinking and analytical skills top the list. You need to evaluate sources for authenticity and bias, synthesize information from multiple sources, and draw logical conclusions. Strong writing and communication abilities are essential for presenting research to both academic and general audiences. Research skills, attention to detail, patience for long-term projects, and increasingly, digital literacy and database management skills are all important for modern historians.
Key Takeaways
- Salary Range: Historians earn a median of $74,050 (2024), with federal government positions paying higher median wages of $114,650 annually.
- Education Requirements: A minimum Bachelor's degree for entry roles, but a master's or Ph.D. is required for most research positions and career advancement (6-13 years of total education).
- Job Growth: 2% projected growth through 2034 with about 300 annual openings, mostly replacement positions rather than new jobs.
- Diverse Work Settings: Historians work across federal (24%), local (22%), professional services (18%), and state government (15%) sectors, as well as museums, education, media, and corporate roles.
- Essential Skills: Research, critical analysis, communication, and ability to contextualize bias in historical sources; increasingly important digital humanities and data analysis skills.
Ready to explore programs that combine history with environmental science? Discover degree options in environmental history and related fields that prepare you for meaningful careers in research, education, and preservation.
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for historians reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2026.
